Starting a trade ..

[Yorkshire]

Hello, as an apprentice there are alot of things i wouldn't understand on here obviously, so as a beginner what tips or advice could you give?

 

[Apache]

The best two tips are "LOOK" and "LISTEN"

Seriously - watch others and listen to what they say. There is a big difference between hearing and listening!

And remember the tea order

 

[roys]

Be keen to see what is happening and what your tradesman is doing and what the other guys are doing. It is fairly easy to spot who will be the good apprentice and who the duffers will be, just by how motivated they are. You will also find that your tradesman is more likely to show and tell you things if you show an interest.

Good Luck Steve

 

[revjames]

A good apprentice not only shows an interest and asks questions but shows initiative as well. That means thinking about the job, in the early days you wont be 'doing' that much of the hands on stuff but will probably be a 'gofer' and tea boy. However if you use initiative and think ahead and anticipate what will be needed next, (get things ready for next phase, ie if the tradesman is wiring a socket outlket circuit, go and get the socket and pattress and test gear from the van while he ius pulling the cables in) and you will not only learn a lot but will be appreciated (takes time) and become a valuable member of the team!

 

[ian932]

The best two tips are "LOOK" and "LISTEN"Seriously - watch others and listen to what they say. There is a big difference between hearing and listening!

And remember the tea order

Concour, but being devils advocate be aware that sometimes what they do or say may not be correct so do some homework and try to find the information that supports there teachings before regurgitating it to anyone else.

 

[Lurch]

A good apprentice not only shows an interest and asks questions but shows initiative as well. That means thinking about the job, in the early days you wont be 'doing' that much of the hands on stuff but will probably be a 'gofer' and tea boy. However if you use initiative and think ahead and anticipate what will be needed next, (get things ready for next phase, ie if the tradesman is wiring a socket outlket circuit, go and get the socket and pattress and test gear from the van while he ius pulling the cables in) and you will not only learn a lot but will be appreciated (takes time) and become a valuable member of the team!

Couldn't agree more. I work with people who still can't manage to think about the job so just end up standing looking at me waiting for instructions\guidance. Most of these people never did an apprenticeship.

Always look busy, never stand around with your hands in your pockets\arms crossed leaning against a wall. There's always something to do, and if there isn't make it look like there is.

I've had a few apprentices over the years, some are clearly not into it and never ask any sensible questions and just generally don;t show an interest. A couple have been great, ask questions, show willing, actually seem to listen. You don't even have to be amazing, as long as you show a genuine interest in learning the trade. If it's just something to do to fill the gaps between weekends then you need another job.

 

[revjames]

I hate it when you are clearly struggling with something and they just gawp at you. Its nice to be asked "can I help you with that?"

 

[Evans Electric]

Some good advice above , Yorkshire. As Lurchio says , if you are filling time till the weekend comes, then something is wrong.

As said above, keep asking questions ,even if the answer doesn't make sense yet, it will drop into place. Take an interest in the job. Make yourself useful, steady that trunking while the guy is cutting it, don't wait to be told, start doing stuff on your own as soon as possible, if you have jus carried the drill build your own tool kit up.

There is a certain amount of errand running and tea making which falls upon you as the bottom of the food chain , (well the Gaffer 'aint gonna fetch you a sarni, is he?) Do it with good grace.

On saying that, if you find you are just standing watching, pass me this , pass me that, and being a complete gopher, then don't stand for it , you are there to LEARN and HELP There are still some sparks about who think an apprentice is purely for carrying the tools, footing the ladder etc, chopping KO boxes in, don't put up with it , do your share but don't let them use you as a labourer all the time.

Try and get the college stuff nailed while you are still young (I presume you're young !) and your brain is still like a sponge, age and beer will soon alter that.

Assuming you are just starting out try drawing all the different circuits , 1 way, 2 way ,inter, etc Draw a motor starter circuit then try adding remote stops and starts or limits etc .

Good luck

Deke

 

[sellers]

all sound advice here.

Always be willing, always be the first to volunteer even for the crap jobs. Don't moan, no one really likes being under a dirty floor or in an itchy loft, but your the apprentice so it will be you going up there. If you accept these from day 1 you will earn a lot of respect from the lads your elders.

Ask a lot of questions, the people you will meet along the way will be from all walks of life and will have lots of different electrical and life skills to teach you. Doing an aprenticeship isn't just about becoming an electrician, its about growing up and becoming a well rounded person.

 

[revjames]

As an apprentice I would often be saying 'cant wait for the weekend', and 'is it 4 o clock yet?' etc etc. One day an older an wiser electrician said to me 'You are wishing your life away' straight away that made a difference to me.

 

[Evans Electric]

I was an apprentice with a large contractor, Walker Bros, in B,ham (think they are in Oxford now) Various blokes I was with always gave you stuff to do ,keeping an eye on you, making it a bit more each time.

Then I'm sent with a guy (I was 19 by then) who says you won't need those tools you just stand there and pass my tools . OOOooooo Dear , put up with for a week, asked another guy who said ,yep, thats all you'll be doing with him, so Monday morning , big row, but got my point across , working properly again, and became good mates with the guy.

Deke

 

[revjames]

I did my apprenticeship in an Aluminium smelter and there were some that would let you just stand and watch and not let you do anything except carry their tools. I would ask if I could do particular things. In time you get a bit more trust and respect and get to do more. One thing is for certain. As apprentice, whatever goes wrong and regardless if you did it or not, its your fault so get used to it.

That said, I never ever regretted the choice I made when I was 16. In face thte choice was made for me, I was supposed to be a mechanical fitter and first week in Tech i found out I was to be a spark!

 

[markysparky]

Been working in the trade for 2 years now as an apprentice while at college. It is hard work.

But I think it is a very good way to learn the trade from experienced sparkys who have been there and done it for years. There is so much to learn and starting at the bottom of the food chain makes you grounded, Giving you the skills and proficiency to do the job day in day out. From my experience I would agree with many of the good points brought up in the posts so far.

Look, learn, remember and show initiative but do as you are asked!!!!!

The technical skills will come as you get more experienced. Show pride in your work, every thing you do should be to a high standard and super tidy. Even if it is clipping cables in a dirty loft or terminating big anaconda swa in a 3p board.

Dont be shy about getting the rounds in.

 

[loonytoon]

Hi Guys, Agree with all of the above, always try to be one step ahead on the sparks you are working with. If you think he's gonna need something, tool or material, go get it.

Best piece of advice my boss ever gave me was:

Assumption is the mother of all F**k ups!

 

[revjames]

A more polite version is 'to assume is to make an ass out of u and me'

 

[loonytoon]

Doesn't sound as good though!

 

[Yorkshire]

Cheers guys, i seem to be doing most of them points already but cheers for the advice etc.

 

[Evans Electric]

Just thought of something else,Yorkie, you probably think you are indestructable but I would urge you to always wear kneepads when kneeling, you'll thank me in 100 years time. And a facemask in the lofts.

All that kneeling on hard floors prevented me from playing for Aston Villa and being captain of England, although being crap at football didn't help.

 

[Yorkshire]

Just thought of something else,Yorkie, you probably think you are indestructable but I would urge you to always wear kneepads when kneeling, you'll thank me in 100 years time. And a facemask in the lofts. All that kneeling on hard floors prevented me from playing for Aston Villa and being captain of England, although being crap at football didn't help.

Haha cheers for that info :Y